About
coach boyce smith
Over a period of some forty-four seasons, from his start as a young coach in 1928 to his retirement over four decades later, Coach Boyce Smith dedicated his life to the molding of boys into manhood. He retired from active coaching in 1972, ending an era of football domination by the small Springfield High School in Springfield, Tennessee.
Throughout Smith’s tenure, his teams had undefeated seasons six times and, at one stretch, had won thirty straight games! His 288-116-34 record stands as a challenge to all who would seek excellence in the coaching profession. Smith-coached squads sported a 9-1-3 bowl record over the years, playing in the Clinic Bowl, Tobacco Bowl, Metro Bowl, Little Ten Bowl, and Mid-State Bowl.
Many well-deserved honors came Smith’s way, including being named in 1967 as High School Coach of the Decade in the Southeastern States by the National Coaches and Athletic Association. In 1962 Smith was recognized by the Tennessee Football Officials Association for thirty-five years of service to Middle Tennessee high school football. And in 1972 Smith was presented the Distinguished American Award by the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.
A man who truly devoted his life to football pride and virtue, Boyce Smith will always be remembered with fondness and respect, not only at Springfield High, but in the annals of Tennessee football history as well.
Overview
The Coach Boyce Smith Scholarship was founded by like-minded individuals to continue the legacy of legendary William Boyce Smith, one of the winningest football coaches in Tennessee history. His on-the-field winning football record may only be overshadowed by his dedication to fair play and his exemplary example of sportsmanship. His 44-year long career spanned from 1928 to 1972 at Springfield High School.
To help advance the academic career of Springfield High School seniors who best exemplify the qualities that Coach Boyce Smith taught and lived by throughout his 44-year coaching career. These qualities include fair play, sportsmanship, leadership and service to others.
Purpose
The purpose of the Coach Boyce Smith Scholarship Fund which is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization is to provide at least one scholarship per year to a senior from Springfield High School. Scholarships are for undergraduate study and may be used for education related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board.
Board
of Directors
President: Walter Ray Clinard
Vice President & Secretary: Danny Atchley
Treasurer: Ted Jamison
At-Large Member: Greg Bell
At-Large Member: Tom Bell
At-Large Member: Howard Bradley
At-Large Member: Mary Dudley Onstott
Message from the board of directors
Coach was passionate about continuing education as the best path to a good life and productive citizenship. As a result, we have established a scholarship fund to assist qualifying SHS students pursuing options in a vocational track or college.
On behalf of the Coach Boyce Smith Scholarship Fund Board of Directors, we bid you welcome and to let you know we are a group of like-minded volunteers of Springfield High School Alumni. Our mission is to honor a legend from Robertson County, Coach Boyce Smith. He was passionate about continuing education as the best path to a good life and to be a productive citizen. As a result, we established a scholarship fund to assist financially disadvantaged SHS students who wish to pursue a vocational or college degree.
To help raise awareness of Coach Smith’s incredible career, sports achievements and service to our community, Walter Ray Clinard commissioned a mural painted on the west wall of Springfield High School that depicts Coach’s career, accomplishments, and lifelong pursuit of excellence through his example and teachings of self-discipline, leadership, character, sportsmanship and determination.
We also solicited the services of two SHS alumni, Nancy Arnold and Ed Garrett, with publishing experience to research and create a thorough overview of Coach’s entire life and incredible career at Springfield High School. Both volunteered their services to promote our fund raising efforts as all proceeds from the sales of this book go directly to the Coach Boyce Smith Scholarship Fund.
The Scholarship Fund is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides tax-deductible advantages to the organization and donors. It is structured and managed so the investment principal’s interest will sustain its future. We sincerely hope you will donate and support our efforts to honor a man who meant so much to so many in our community
-Danny Atchley, SHS Class of 1971
Committee Chairman